Bandaged Paws Animal Rescue in Grande Prairie has opened the doors on its new facility at the old SPCA building. On Saturday after months of work, the home-based rescue showed off its safe haven facility to the public.
Spokesperson Drew Rogers says it means a lot for the organization to have this.
“To get a facility like this lined up is just a huge added value for us. To be able to expand beyond our in-home fostering program and have a lot more space just for those intakes and maybe dogs that aren’t as easy to have in the foster program is really great.”
The group first got the keys to the building attached to the county’s Regional Animal Care Facility back on May 24th. They will be leasing it from the Edmonton Humane Society who has owned that half of the building since the local humane society closed in May 2016.
Bandaged Paws will stay as a home-based rescue meaning animals will be brought to the new shelter on an emergency basis until foster homes can be found.
Currently, the rescue has 219 animals between the facility and the foster program and Rogers says that number just keeps growing.
“Last calendar year, which is January 1st to December 31st, there were 465 animals helped. From January 1st up until today, there are already 476 animals that Bandaged Paws has helped. We’re already at last years numbers and we’re barely halfway through the year. It just shows you the demand for this kind of service in Grande Prairie.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with Bandaged Paws or adopting an animal can visit their website or Facebook page for more information and a list of available pets.